Control for revolving drum vending machines



June 2, 1953 H. R. FRANKLE CONTROL FOR REVOLVING DRUM VENDING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2 mm 0 P 8 9 u,

,511 enlor For Q-Yrankk AW June 2, 1953 H. R. FRANKLE 2,640,574

CONTROL FOR REVOLVING DRUM VENDING MACHINES Filed April 4, 1952 Sheets-Sheet 2 ql'atiy rankle WVflnes'a b B ide/v? f M6? A7 mm Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT O-FF'IQE CONTROL FOR REVOLVING DRUM VENDING MACHINES 14 Claims. 1

My invention is a novel type of electrically operated control for rotary drum vending machines that places the control of the ultimate point at which the drum stops in the hands of the vendee. My device permits the vendor to establish a fair price for the machine sold merchandise.

Automatic vending machines are well known already and daily their use is becoming more widespread. One of the. most popular of the automatic vending machines is the rotary drum device. The greatest shortcoming of the drum vending machine to date has been the lack of selectivity offered to those wishing to purchase the contents of the machine. The machines known to me merely rotate one unit of motion to present a previously unsold item to the person buying an item of merchandise from the machine. The conventional machines, when the appropriate coin is inserted, go through a fixed cycle of operation and present an unpurohased item, to the vendee. These machines have not been well adapted to selling a variety of items. One of these machines does not lend itself to selling several different flavors of soft drinks, for example, since the would-be purchaser has no control over the flavor he will have presented to him. This lack of selectivity inherent in the conventional machine has limited its use to vending a single product. In order to assure the purchaser that he will not be disappointed the conventional machines are usually employed to vend only one flavor of soft drink for example. This single product limitation of the conventional machine is no great problem in a vending machine sales location that has plenty of space so that several machines may be provided. With several machines the purchaser is offered a variety of drinks from which to choose. In situations offering only limited space to accommodate vending machines, however, the conventional machine inhibits the choice of item from which the vendee may select. In some situations not only space but low volume of potential buyers limits the number of machines that is economically feasible. In these two identified cases the lack of flexibility of the conventional machine is a great handicap. The usual compromise is to install a single machine vending what the owners believe to be the most popular item of the particular type of merchandise the machine is equipped to sell.

Another shortcoming of the conventional machine is no f'ault of the machine itself, but the result of an economic situation that has develv.1 3 oped. The creeping inflation that has been growing on the nation for the last several years has made many coin operated vending machines a matter of real concern to their owners. In selling such items as soft drinks, candy bars and like units the five cent piece has been the standard machine operating coin. With the advent of higher prices on most. commercial products, the operators of vending machines have found themselves in an unfortunate situation. Although five cents no longer provides the necessary margin above cost to make. these machines profitable, their operating mechanism is. arranged for a single coin to actuate the mechanism. It. would be a simple matter to adjust the machine to cause a ten cent pieceto operate the mechanism, but ten cents is a higher price than is necessary. Coin operated vending machine operators for these formerly five cent items are loathe to raise their-prices more than is required. for profitable operation. As there are no single coins of a value between thatof the five and ten cent pieces, however, a new mechanism that will operate on two or more coins. is necessary to permit the use of nickels and pennies together to provide a price reasonable to all parties concerned.

In view of the foregoing, therefore, it is the principal object. of my invention to provide a control for revolving drum vending machines that permits a selection by the vendee of any one of several products offered for sale in the machine.

It is a further object of my invention to .provide a control for revolving drum vending machines that permits the use of two or more coins of different denominations to actuate the mechanism.

It is a, further object of my invention to provide a control for revolvin drum vending machines that requires no special skill or knowledge to operate.

It is a further object: of my invention to provide a control for revolving drum vending machines that cannot be incorrectly operated.

It is afurther object of my invention to provide a control for revolving drum vending machines that is durable in use and economical to manufacture.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, andcombination of the various, parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as h-ereinaitermorc fully set forth,

. and specifically pointed out in my claims, and

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatin drum vending machine equipped with my control,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, side elevation view of my control means together with fragments of the storage drum and sale disc and taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation view of my control and a fragmentary view of the sale disc. Portions of the device and the disc are broken away to illustrate more fully their construction and inter-relation. Fig. 3 is taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of my control and a fragment of the service door of the vending machine and taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective mechanical view combined with an electrical wiringdiagram of my control means.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the terminal block showing the various leads connected to it.

Referring to the drawings, I have used the numeral H) to designate a rotating drum vending machine adapted to the sale of bottled beverages and which I have used for illustrative purposes to show how my control device operates on an actual installation. The cabinet is provided with the usual servicing door l2, coin slot I 4, access door for purchasers 16, bottle opener l8 and coin return 20. The numeral 22 designates a spring loaded push button switch that is normally off or open as it will be described hereafter. The purpose of this switch is to permit the vendee to select one of several different items offered for sale by the machine. The exact manner in which this switch achieves its purpose will be described below.

On the interior of the cabinet is the usual revolving storage drum 24 and sale disc 26. The drum holds the merchandise such as the bottled beverage 28 in Fig. 2 that is to be offered for sale. The drum is rotatably secured to the cabinet l0 while the disc is rotatably mounted on the service door l2 by means of a suitable pivot such as the shaft 30. The purchasers access door i6 is secured to the open supporting frame 32 that is vertically slidable on service door l2. The access door it covers the opening 34 when it is in a lowered position and permits limited access to the interior of the machine when it is raised. This door It is made from any suitable material that is transparent as the vendee must be able to look through the door to make his selection. I have shown the door as made of a clear plastic with a dead air space in it to insulate a refrigerated box that would be suitable for bottled beverages. Thus far the machine as described, except for the switch 22 and its related mechanism, is not dissimilar from conventional vending machines, and I turn now to a description of my control means which is my invention.

The control is mounted on any suitable frame work such as the main frame plate 36 and the secondary frame plate 38 which are secured to the door l2. These two frame elements are secured together in a spaced relationship. An electric motor 40 having a gear reduction box 42 at one end and a brake drum 44 at the other drives the device. The motor 40 is secured to the main frame plate by any suitable means such as the bracket 46. A sprocket gear 48 is driven by the motor via the gear reduction. This sprocket engages the chain 50 which also embraces the large sprocket gear 52. Rigidly secured to the large sprocket is the sales disc gear 54 which engages the teeth 56 of the sale disc. These two last mentioned gears are secured to shaft 58 which is rotatably mounted between the main and secondary frame plates with one end of it protruding toward the cabinet interior beyond the secondary frame plate. The drum driving disc 60 is keyed to the protruding end of shaft 58 and is provided with the notch 62. A drum drive shaft 64 is rotatably mounted in the interior of the cabinet and is shown only in the schematic drawing, Fig. 5. This shaft 64 is provided with a lugged disc 66 that engages notch 62 when the door I2 is closed. A gear 68 is secured to the shaft 64 and meshes with an idler gear 18 that in turn engages the gear teeth 72 of drum 24. Whenever the motor 48 rotates, therefore, both the sales disc and the storage drum are rotated. I will now describe the electrical circuit that de termines when the motor operates.

Power that is provided for the operation of the device is conducted to the interior of the device by the leads [4 and 76 connected to the terminal block 78 as shown in Fig. 3. Connected to the same terminal post as lead 16 is the lead wire 80 which connects to the center terminal of the single double throw nickel switch 82. This switch is called the nickel switch for convenience as that coin is the one which is commonly used in soft drink vending machines. This switch may actually be operated by any desired coin and is merely the primary coin switch. This switch is actuated mechanically by an appropriate coin striking and depressing arm 84 as the coin passes down coin chute 86. The primary coin switch is a single pole double throw switch that is normally spring loaded to close the circuit between the center terminal and one of the outside terminals which is used only if an auxiliary penny circuit is used. The other outside terminal of switch 82 that is normally open is connected to lead 88 which is secured to the terminal block. Lead 90 connects to lead 88 at the terminal block and extends to the fixed one of the points 92a and by jumper to one end of the relay coil 92. Lead 94 connects the movable point 92a to power lead 89 while leads 96 and 98 connect the other end of the coil 92 to the terminal block and the block to one side of the single pole single throw spring loaded open door switch Hi0. This door switch is closed by the weight of the door l6 bearing on lever I92, however, via the hollow door support 32. A lead designated 1 04 connect the other terminal of door switch Hill to the source of power at the terminal block by connecting to lead M. Leads designated I06 and IE8 connect the terminals of light I 10 to leads 98 and 90 respectively to place the light in parallel to the coil 92. Thus whenever the relay is energized the light will burn. In the circuit thus far, with door it closed, a coin in chute 86 momentarily actuates switch 82 by striking lever 84. When the nickel switch is actuated power is applied to the coil of relay which closes the relay points and provides a circuit parallel to the nickel switch for current to continue to energize the relay coil 92 and the light H9. This action of the circuit permits the balance of the circuit to operate.

Lead H2 connects the terminal block to one terminal of rotor switch H4 while the other lead H5 that is connected to the rotor switch is connected to a terminal on the block to which so far no other lead has been described as connecting. The rotor switch is one that is spring loaded closed and when the motor is inoperative it is 5 held open by one of the bosses bothdesignated H6. that. are rigidly secured to the largev sprock etgear 52.- Every half revolution of the sprocket gear causes one of the. bosses I I6 to engage lever H8 and open the rotor switch. Two leads designated I28 and I22 respectively connect the terminals of selector switch 22 to the same terminals on the block to which the rotor switch is. connected. Switch 22 is a single pole single throw unit spring loaded to the off or open position.

and is connected in parallel to the rotor switch. A lead designated I24 connects both the. rotor switch and the selector switch to the brake solenoid coil I25 connecting to the leads IM and I22 at. the terminal block.

Jumper leads I28 and Hill connect. the lead I24 to motor ll] and the vendors push button I32 switch respectively. Switch I32 is identical to switch I22 in that. it is spring loaded open. The other terminal of switch I32 is connected to leads 80 at the terminal block by means of lead I 34. Switch I32. is mounted any convenient place inside. the cabinet. and. I have shown it illustratively on bracket I35 that is secured. to the. motor l0.

The other end of the brake solenoid is connected to leads 96 and. 98 at the terminal. block by means of lead I38 and a jumper designated I 40 completes the parallel connection of the motor and brake coil. The brake solenoid serves a dual function in the circuit. It will be noted that the door switch is in series with all the balance of the circuit so that when the door is opened to remove a purchased item, the entire circuit is opened and even relay coil 92" is deenergized which breaks the main power circuit by releasing the relay'contacts of relay 92. It is important, therefore, that the door It remain closed for any period consisting of one half revolution of the rotor 60; since as will-be explained completely later to stop the action of the circuit other than at points determined by the rotor switch, will prevent the vendee from-receiving any merchandise; The second function of the brake solenoid is to release the motor armature brake whenever the motor i energized. Since the: control device depends for success upon' precise amounts of motor action, a brake" band I42 engages the drum M whenever the solenoid coil is de-energized. A lever arm I44 is pivoted on bracket I35. by any suitable means such as pin I46. A spring I 4'8; secured to the-bracket I36 and the lever at the left of in I46 as viewed in Fig. 2

applies a force to that end of lever I that urges the end of the leverconnected to thespring down. One end of the brake band pivot'all'y' is secured to the lever at a. point directly below pin I46. The other end of the band is similarly secured to arm at the right of pin M16; When the" spring. I48 is permitted to move thelever arm, the band I42 is tightened around the drum to halt the motor instantly. The arm I44 is also pivotally secured to the armature Itiflofthe brake solenoid and. at a point considerably to" the right of pin Hi6 as viewe'din Fig. 2. When the-solenoid coil is energized, the arm I44; is: moved to the position illustrated in Fig.2 which releases the motor brake drum 44: from-band I42.

At the extreme right. end of lever IM asviewed in Fig. 2. is a connecting rod I52 that extends upwardly through a pierced ear on pivot arm' PM.

The connecting rod has two" lugs designated I56 and IE8 respectively. These lugs-engage the topand bottom of the pivot arm can and causes'the pivot arm to' move in" response to movementof the connectingrod. The pivot arm is secured pivotally asits name implies; to the primary frameiplate 36 and. extends down to a bossISO rigidly secured near the lower end 015 the pivot arm. This boss when the connectingrodis pulled downby the energizingof the brake solenoid, is. moved outwardly through a hole in the primary frame plateand also a hole in the door Iock'. bar I62. The door lockbar is rigidlysecured to the door support32. This bar slides in a channel formed by the primary frame plateand channel member I634. The boss I60 also may extend through an appropriate hole in the channel member. if desired. I have shown this latter construction which causes the door lock bar to be heldssecurely against vertical: movement while freeingthe relatively light pivot arm from any strain resulting. from attempts to opendoor I6 while it is. locked. When. spring I48 moves lever armIM to lock the brake drum, the connecting rod I56- is pushed up and lug I58 engages and moves the pivot arm to withdraw boss I60 from the door lock bar. V

vI now have completed the description of the basic control system, and I will now describe itsoperation- As the portion of the circuit set out so far may be used separately, and since thecircuit is rather extensive, I believe it'will be desirable to set out the operation of this portion of the circuit separately before describing and explaining the action of the secondary circuit.

The first action that occurs when a'vendee inserts the correct coin in coin slot I I is theactuation of the primary coin switch 82 as the coin passes down chute 86 to the coin receiving box (not shown). As soon a the nickel switch is actuated, power. is applied to the coil of relay 92. Light I ll] also comes on, and the vendee can ob-- serve through the transparent door I6 which of the various items sold by the machine would be available to him if he opened the door. Only one of the holes I66 in sales disc 26 will align at onetime with the opening covered by door I6.- One of the items such as bottled beverages 28 will be visible through the one hole of course. If the storage compartment that is made visible by the energizing of light H0 is either empty or is stocked with an item that does not appeal to the purchaser, he may examine other compartments by actuating selector switch 22. A glance at Fig. 5 will disclose that a complete circuit is then provided to the'brake solenoid coil as well as to the motor itself in a path parallel to the rotor switch. As soon as the rotation of the motor produces any noticeable movement of the gear 52, the rotor switch-is closed by the lug I I6 moving past arm H8 and allowing. switch H4 to assume its normal spring loaded position which is closed. The selector switch may then be released, and power will be supplied to the motor and brake through the rotor switch. The motor will. continue to operate driving the drum and disc to new positions. As the gear 52 completes degrees of circular movement, the other lug H6 depresses arm M8 on the rotor switch III which opens the circuit to the motor and brake. The-brake halts all rotary movement instantly. The. gearing-between the drum, the disc and the gear 52 is such that one different storage compartmentand an aligning. hole I56 of the disc are brought into view through door I6. Light II 0 permits the vendee to examine this merchandiseanddecide whether he will accept it. If the item presented isnot satisfactory, selector switch 22 isiactuated again andv the cycle of movement repeated. The vendee continues his. selective con-v 7 t'rol' until he decides to accept a presented unit. To reach the merchandise door I6 must be raised, however, and by raising the door, the vendee opens switch I 00, the door switch. Relay 92 is de-energized by opening switch I which resets the system for the next purchaser. The door switch is also in series with the motor circuit, of course. The lock structure that holds door I6 against being opened as long as the motor brake is released prevents an impatient purchaser from opening door I6 before the drum and disc are aligned to permit removal of the merchandise. Switch I32 produces very similar operation to that described for switch 22. As lead I34 bypasses or is parallel to the primary coin switch 82, however, switch I32 does not require the operation of the relay 92. This switch is provided for the use of the vendor in servicing the machine with new merchandise.

The system just described provides for selective sellin of several items from a single vending machine using a single coin. I will now describe and explain my auxiliary circuit that permits the use of two coins. Lead I58 connects to lead I4 at the terminal block. The other end of lead I68 connects to one of the contacts I'Illa of relay coil IIO (shown in the wiring diagram.

only) and by jumper I12 to one terminal of the secondary coin switch I'M (shown only on the wiring diagram and there labeled penny switch). The secondary coin switch is a single pole single throw switch that is spring loaded open. The other relay contact and other terminal of the secondary coin switch are connected together by the leads I16 and I18 respectively and they are both connected to the nickel blocking solenoid coil I80 and the coil I'IO of relay points IIlia by means of lead I84 and jumper I86, respectively. The other end of the nickel blocking solenoid coil is connected to terminal block by lead I88 where it joins to lead I90 that connects to the normally closed side of the primary coin switch 82 as shown in Fig. 5. A jumper I92 completes the parallel connection of the relay coil to the nickel blocking solenoid coil. The switch I'll! is actuated by a secondary coin such as the one designated I94 sliding down secondary coin chute I95 and engaging the lever arm I98. The coin moves the arm and causes the switch I'M to be closed momentarily. This momentary closing of switch I'M energizes the relay coil I'lfi which closes the points I'Ifla of the relay which then provides a continuous flow of current to its own coil and also to the nickel blocking solenoid coil I89. The energizin of coil I80 withdraws the nickel block and permits the primary coin to operate as shown in Fig. 5 and described above. The movement of arm 8 not only sets up the operation of the primary control system but also breaks the circuit to the secondary coin relay coil no which resets that device for the next purchaser.

The mechanical action involved in this portion of the device is substantially the same as that used in mechanical secondary coin devices and consequently well known to persons skilled in the art. I have not illustrated the structure of the nickel block rod in chute 86, but it is positioned as usual at a point between primary coin slot !4 and arm 84 of switch 82. Just as in the purely mechanical devices, as long as the nickel block rod is in position any coin placed in the primary coin slot I4 is shunted to the coin return I8. When the solenoid ISO is energized, however, the blocking rod is withdrawn from the chute 8t and allows the basic circuit to be ac tuated by placing a coin in the primary coin slot I4 as described earlier herein. The secondary coin circuit can be made to require the use of two secondary coins by employing the known teeter-totter mechanical movement that has been used of auxiliary coin devices for mechanical machines. The second coin is the one that operates switch I. As these mechanical structures are not claimed as part of this invention, their inclusion in the drawings is considered unnecessary.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my control for revolving drum vending machines without departing from the real spirit and purposev of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a control mechanism for a rotating drum type vending machine having a vendees access door, a sales disc and a coin receiving slot and chute, a frame secured to the interior of said vending'machine, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to the interior of said vending machine, a coin switch secured to said frame and having one of its terminals connected to one of said pair of leads; said coin switch being spring loaded open, a lever arm secured to said coin switch and extending into said coin chute; whereby when a coin passes along said coin chute said coin switch is momentarily closed, a relay switch secured to said frame, a lead connecting one end of said relay switch coil to one of the contact points of said relay switch, a lead connecting the one of said relay switch contact points that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil to the other terminal of said coin switch, a lead connecting the other of said relay switch terminals to the one of said pair of leads that is connected to said coin switch terminal, a door switch having two terminals secured to said frame and near said vendees access door, a lever arm for actuating said door switch extending into operative engagement with said vendees access door, said door switch being spring load open and being closed by the engagement of said vendees access door with said lever arm, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a motor having a rotating'armature and two terminals secured to said frame, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said motor to said other end of said relay switch coil, a gear rotatably secured to said frame and operatively connected to one end of said motor armature, means operatively connecting said gear to said disc and drum of said vending machine, a gear switch having two terminals and spring loaded closed secured to said frame near said door, a gear switch lever for opening said switch extending act 0,574

vending machine; said selector switch having two terminals and being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said selector switch to said other terminal of said motor, and a lead connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to the one of said relay switch contacts that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil.

2. In a control mechanism for a rotating drum type vending machine having a vendees access door, a sales disc, and .a coin receiving slot and chute, a frame secured to the interior of said vending machine, a pair of'leads for conducting electrical energy to the interior of said vending machine, a coin switch secured to said frame and having one of its terminals connected to one of said pair of leads; said coin switch being spring loaded open, a lever arm secured to said coin switch and extending into said coin chute; whereby when a coin passes along said coin chute said coin switch is momentarily closed, a relay switch secured to said frame, a lead connecting one end of said relay switch coil to one of the contact points of said relay switch, a lead connecting the one of said relay switch contact points that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil to the other terminal of said coin switch, a lead connecting the other of said relay switch terminal to the one of said pair of leads that is connected to said coin switch terminal, a door switch having two terminals secured to said frame and near said vendees access door, a lever arm for actuating said door switch extending into operative engagement with said vendees access door, said doorswitch being spring load open and being closed by the engagement of said vendees access dOOr withsaid lever arm, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of saidpair of leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the said motor instantly whenever the circuit to the motor is interrupted, an electrical control means connected in parallel to said motor for releasing said mechanical means, a gear switch having two terminals and spring loaded closed secured to said frame near said door, a gear switch lever for opening said switch extending near to said gear, at least one "lug on-said gear for engaging said gear switch lever to open said gear switch at a fixed location for said gear, a lead connecting one terminal of said gear switch to the other terminal of said motor, a lead connecting the other terminal of said gear switch to the contact point of said relay switch that is con, nected to one end of the coil of said relayswitch,

a selector switch secured to said vending machine and operable from the exterior of said vending machine, said selector switch having two terminals and being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said selector switch to said other terminal of said motor, and a lead connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to the one of said relay switch contacts that is connected to --one end of said 'r'elay switch coil.

3. Ina control mechanism for a rotating drum type vending machine having a vendees access door, a sales disc, and a coin receiving slot and chute, a frame secured to the interior of said vending machine, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to the interior of said vending machine, a coinxswitch secured to said frame and having one of its terminals connected to one of said pair of leads; said coin switch being spring loaded open, a'lever arm secured to said coin switch and extendinginto-said coin chute; whereby when a coin passes along said coin chute said coin switch is momentarily closed, a relay switch secured to said frame, a lead connecting one end of said relay switch 0011 to one of the contact points of said relay switch, a lead connecting the one of said relay switch contact points that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil to the other terminal of said coin switch, a lead connecting the other of said relay switch terminals to the one of said pair of leads that is connected to said coin switch terminal, a door switch having two terminals secured to said frame and near said vendees access door, a lever,

arm for actuating said door switch extending into operative engagement with said vendees access door, said door switch being spring load open and being closed by the engagement of said vendees access door with said lever arm, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of saidrelay switch coil, a motor having a rotating armature and two terminals secured to said frame, a lead connecting one of the terminals of saidmotor to said other end of said relay switch coil, a gear rotatably secured to said frame and operatively connected to one end'o'f said motor armature, means operatively connecting said gear to said disc and drum of said vending machine, a brake drum secured'to the other end of said motor armature, a lever pivotally secured to said frame near said other end of said motor armature, a spring secured to said lever and said frame urging said lever in one direction of its pivotal movement, a solenoid coil connected in parallel to said motor and secured to said frame near said lever, a sliding core in said solenoid coil connected to said lever arm for moving said lever arm in the other direction of its pivotal movement, a brake band surrounding said brake drum and tightened thereon by pivotal movement of said lever arm in the direction of said springs urging, a gear switch having two terminals and spring loaded closed secured to said frame near said door, a gear switch lever for opening said switch extending near to said gear, at least one lug on said gear for engaging said gear switch lever to open said gear switch at a fixed location for said gear, a lead connecting one terminal of said gear switch to the other terminal of said motor, a

lead connecting the other terminal of said gear switch to the contact point of said relay switch that is connected to, one end of the coil of said relay switch, a selector switch secured to said vending machine and operable from the exterior of said vending machine, said selector switch having two terminals and being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said selector switch to said other terminal of said motor, and a lead connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to the one of said relay switch contacts that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil.

4. in a control mechanism for a rotating drum type vending machine having a vendees access door, a sales disc and a coin receiving slot and chute, a frame secured to the interior of said vending machine, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to the interior of said vending machine, a coin switch secured to said frame and having one of its terminals connected to one of said pair of leads; said coin switch being spring loaded open, a lever arm secured to said coin switch and extending into said coin chute; whereby when a coin passes along said coin chute said coin switch is momentarily closed, a relay switch secured to said frame, a lead connecting one end of said relay switch coin to one of the contact points of said relay switch, a lead connecting the one of said relay switch contact points that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil to the other terminal of said coin switch, a lead connecting the other of said relay switch terminals to the one of said pair of leads that is connected to said coin switch terminal, a door switch having two terminals secured to said frame and near said vendees access door, a lever arm for actuating said door switch extending into operative engagement with said vendees access door, said door switch being spring loaded open and being closed by the engagement of said vendees access door with said lever arm, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a motor having a rotating armature and two terminals secured to said frame, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said motor to said other end of said relay switch coil, a gear rotatably secured to said frame and operatively connected to one end of said motor armature, means operatively connecting said gear to said disc and drum of said vending machine, a gear switch having two terminals and spring loaded closed secured to said frame near said door, a gear switch lever for opening said switch extending near to said gear, at least one lug on said gear for engaging said gear switch lever to open said gear switch at a' fixed location for said gear, a lead connecting one terminal of said gear switch to the other terminal of said motor, a lead connecting the other terminal of said gear switch to the contact point of said relay switch that is connected to one end of the coil of said relay switch, a servicing switch secured to said frame and having two terminals; said servicing switch being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said servicing switch to said other terminal of said motor, a lead connecting the other terminal of said servicing switch to said one of said pair of power leads, a selector switch secured to said vending machine and operable from the exterior of said vending machine; said selector switch having two terminals and being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said selector switch to said other terminal of said motor, and a lead connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to the one of said relay switch contacts that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil.

5. In a control mechanism for a rotating drum type vending machine having a vendees access door, a sales disc, and a coin receiving slot and chute, a frame secured to the interior of said vending machine, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to the interior of said vending machine, a coin switch secured to said frame and having one of its terminals connected to one of said pair of leads, said coin'switch being spring loaded open, a lever arm secured to said coin switch and extending into said coin chute; whereby when a coin passes along said coin chute said coin switch is momentarily closed, a relay switch secured to said frame, a lead connecting one end of said relay switch coil to one of the contact points of said relay switch, a lead connecting the one of said relay switch contact points that is connected to one end of said relay switch coil to the other terminal of said coin switch, a lead connecting the other of said relay switch terminals to the one of said pair of leads that is connected to said coin switch terminal, a door switch having two terminals secured to said frame and near said vendees access door, a lever arm for actuating said door switch extending into operative engagement with said vendees access door, said door switch being spring loaded open and being closed by the engagement of said vendees access door with said lever arm, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a motor having a rotating armature and two terminals secured to said frame, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said motor to said other end of said relay switch coil, a gear rotatably secured to said frame and operatively connected to one end of said motor armature, means operatively connecting said gear to said disc and drum of said vending machine, a brake drum secured to the other end of said motor armature, a lever pivotally secured to said frame near said other end of said motor armature, a spring secured to said lever and said frame urging said lever in one direction of its pivotal movement, a solenoid coil connected in parallel to said motor and secured to said frame near said lever, a sliding core in said solenoid coil connected to said lever arm for moving said lever arm in the other direction of its pivotal movement, a brake band surrounding said brake drum and tightened thereon by pivotal movement of said lever arm in the direction of said springs urging, a gear switch having two terminals and spring loaded closed secured to said frame near said door, a gear switch lever for opening said switch extending near to said gear, at least one lug on said gear for engaging said gear switch lever to open said gear switch at a fixed location for said gear, a lead connecting one terminal of said gear switch to the other terminal of said motor, a lead connecting the other terminal of said gear switch to the contact point of said relay switch that is connected to one end of the coil of said relay switch, a servicing switch secured to said frame and having two terminals; said servicing switch being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said servicing switch to said other terminal of said motor, a lead connecting the other terminal of said servicing switch to said one of said pair of power leads, a selector switch secured to said vending machine and operable from the exterior of said vending machine, said selector switch having two terminals and being spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminalsof said selector switch to said other terminal of said motor, and a lead connecting the other terminal of said selector switch to the one of said relay switch contacts that is connected to one end of said relay switch coi 6. In an electrical circuit for a rotating drum type vending machine control, a pair of power leads for connecting the circuit to a source of power, a coin switch, said coin switch, being a QIGKOEMQ single polo double throw switch 'be'in g spring loaded closed to one throw, a :lead conneeting the common terminal of said coin switch tonne of said pair of power leads, a relay switch, a lead connecting the normally open side of said coin switch to one end of the coil ollsaid relay switch; said relay switch having a pairof normally open contact points that are connected in parallel re lationship to the open side of said coin switch, a door switch, the two terminals of which arespr-ing loaded open, a lead connectingone or the terminals of said door switch to the other of said of power leads, a lead connecting the'other terminal of said door switch to the other end or said relay switch coil, a gear switch spring loaded closed, a motor, said motor and said gear switch being connected in series with each other and both in :parallel with the coil ofsaid 'relayaswitch, and a selector switch spring loaded open connected :in parallel to said gear switch.

'7. In anelectrical circuit for a rotating drum type vending machine control, a pair f power leads for connecting the circuit to a source of power, a coin switch, said coin switch being a. single polo double throw switch being spring loaded closed to one throw, a lead connecting the common-terminal of said coin switch to one of said pair of power leads, a, relay switch, a lead connecting the normally open side of said coin switch to one end of the coil of said relay switch; said relay switch having a pair of normally open contact points that are connected in parallel relationship to the open side of said coin switch, door switch, the two terminals of which are spring loaded open, a lead connectingone of'the terminals of said door switch to the other-of said pair of power leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a gear switch spring loaded closed, a motor, said motor and said gear. switch being connected in series with each other and both in parallel with the coil of-said relayswitch, a motor brake releasing solenoid connected in parallel to said motor, a light connected in parallel to said relay switch coil, and a selector switch spring loaded open connected in parallel to said gear switch.

8. In an electrical circuit for a rotating drum type vending machine control, a pair of power leads for connecting the circuit to a source of power, a coin switch, said coin switch being a single pole double throw switch being spring loaded closed to one throw, a leadconnecting the common terminal of said coin switch to one of said pair of power leads, a relay switch, a lead connecting the normally open side of said coin switch to one end'of thecoil of said-relay switch; said relay switch having a pair of normally open contact points that are connected in parallel relationship to the open'side of said coin switch, a door switch, the two terminals of which are spring loaded open, a lead connecting one or the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of power leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end o'fsa'id relay switch coil, a-gear switch spring loaded closed, a motor, said motor and said gear switch being comiected in series with each other and both in parallel with the coil of said relay switch, a selector switch spring loaded open connected in parallel to said gear switch, and a service switch connected in parallel to said coin switch, relay contact points, gear switch and elector switch. S 9. In an electrical circuit for a rotating drum 3 1 type vending-machine control, a pair of power leads for connecting the circuit to a source of power, a coin switch, said coin switch being a single pole double throw man being spring loaded closed to one throw, a lead connecting the common terminal of said coin Switch-i0 one of said pair 0f power leads, a relay switch, a lead connecting the normally open side of said coin switch to one end of the coil of saidrelay switch; said relay switch havin a pair or normally open contact points that are connected in parallel :re lationship to the openside or said coin switch, a door switch, the two terminals of which are -spring loaded open, a lead connectin g'one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of saidpair of powerileads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a gear switch spring loaded closed, a motoi, said motor and said gear switch benig-connected in series with each other and both in parallel with the coil of said relay switch, a selector switch spring loaded open connected in parallel to'said gearsw itch, a secondarymoin switch having two terminals spring loaded open,- a lead connecting one of the terminals of said secondary coin switch to said other of said pair ofpower leads, a secondary-relay switch the contacts of which are normally open, a 'lead connecting theother terminal of said secondary coin switch to the one end of the coil of said secondary relay switch, a'lead co'n-necting the other end ofsthe coil of said secondary relay switch to spring loaded-closed side of said "coin switch; the secondary relay switch contacts lacing connected in parallel to said secondary coin switch, and a solenoid coilconnected parallel to the coil of said secondary relayswitch,

10. In an eleotricallcircuit for a rotating-drum type vending machine control, a pair of power leads for connecting thecircuit to a source of power, a coin. switch, said coin switch being asingle pole double throw switch being spring loaded closed to one throw, a lead connecting the common terminal of said claim switch to one of said pair of power leads, a relay switch, a lead connecting the normally open side'of said coin switch to one endof the coil'of said relay switch; said relay switch having a pair-of normally open contact points that are connected in parallel relationship to the open side of said coin-switch, a door switch, the two terminals of which are springload'ed'open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of'isaid door switch to the other of said pair of power leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of "said door switch to the other end of saidrelay-switchcoil, a gear switch spring loaded closed, a "motor, said motor and said gear switch being-connected in series with each other and both in parallel with the coil of said relay switch, a 'motor lor'ake releasing solenoid connected in parallel to "said motor, a light connected in parallel to "said relay switch cell, a selector switch spring loaded open connected in parallel to said gear switch, and a service switch connected in parallel to said coin switch relay contact points,

,gear'swltch and selector switch.

connecting the normally open side of said coin switch to one end of the coil of said relay switch; said relay switch having a pair of normally open contact points that are connected in parallel relationship to the open side of said coin switch, a door switch, the two terminals of which are spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said door switch to the other of said pair of power leads, a lead connecting the other terminal of said door switch to the other end of said relay switch coil, a gear switch spring loaded closed, a motor, said motor and said gear switch being connected in series with each other and both in parallel with the coil of said relay switch, a motor brake releasing solenoid connected in parallel to said motor, a light connected in parallel to said relay switch coil, a selector switch spring loaded open connected in parallel to said gear switch, a service switch connected in parallel to said coin switch relay contact points, gear switch and selector switch, a secondary coin switch having two terminals spring loaded open, a lead connecting one of the terminals of said secondary coin switch to said other of said pair of power leads, a secondary relay switch the contacts of which are normally open, a lead connecting the other terminal of said secondary coin switch to the one end of the coil of said secondary relay switch, a lead connecting the other end of the coil of said secondary relay switch to the spring loaded closed side of said coin switch; the secondary relay switch contacts being connected in parallel to said secondary coin switch, and a solenoid coil connected in parallel to the coil of said secondary relay switch.

12. A control mechanism for a merchandise vending machine of the class having a. cabinet containing a rotatable drum merchandise container, an access door in the cabinet, an apertured disc means for exposing at the access door a single item of merchandise at a time, and a coin receiving slot and chute, comprising, a terminal block in the cabinet, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to said terminal block, a motor receiving electric energy from said terminal block and operatively connected to the drum and disc, a coin operated switch spring loaded to be normally open associated with the coin switch, a door switch spring loaded to be normally open arranged near the access door, means on the access door engageable with said door switch for closing the same, said door switch electrically connected to said terminal block, a relay switch in the cabinet electrically connected to said coin operated switch and said door switch, switch means normally closed electrically connected to said motor and said relay switch, means for opening said last mentioned switch means at predetermined points relative to the rotation of said disc and drum, and a selector switch normally open operable from outside the cabinet and connected electrically in parallel to said last mentioned switch means.

13. A control mechanism for a merchandise vending machine of the class having a cabinet containing a rotatable drum merchandise container, an access door in the cabinet, an apertured disc means for exposing at the access door a single item of merchandise at a time, and a coin receiving slot and chute, comprising, a terminal block in the cabinet, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to said terminal block, a motor receiving electric energy from said terminal block and operatively connected to the drum and disc, a coin operated switch spring loaded to be normally open associated with the coin switch, a door switch spring loaded to be normally open arranged near the access door, means on the access door engageable with said door switch for closing the same, said door switch electrically connected to said terminal block, a relay switch in the cabinet electrically connected to said coin operated switch and said door switch, switch means normally closed electrically connected to said motor and said relay switch, means for opening said last mentioned switch means at predetermined points relative to the rotation of said disc and drum, a selector switch normally open operable from outside the cabinet and connected electrically in parallel to said last mentioned switch means, and a means electrically connected in parallel to said motor for stopping the rotation of said motor instantly when the circuit thereto is interrupted, said last mentioned means actuated by said selector switch.

14. A control mechanism for a merchandise vending machine of the class having a cabinet containing a rotatable drum merchandise container, an access door in the cabinet, an apertured disc means for exposing at the access door a single item of merchandise at a time, and a coin receiving slot and chute, comprising, a terminal block in the cabinet, a pair of leads for conducting electrical energy to said terminal block, a motor receiving electric energy from said terminal block and operatively connected to the drum and disc, a coin operated switch spring loaded to be normally open associated with the coin switch, a door switch spring loaded to be normally open arranged near the access door, means on the access door engageable with said door switch for closing the same, said door switch electrically connected to said terminal block, a relay switch in the cabinet electrically connected to said coin operated switch and said door switch, switch means normally closed electrically connected to said motor and said relay switch, means for opening said last mentioned switch means at predetermined points relative to the rotation of said disc and drum, a selector switch normally open operable from outside the cabinet and connected electrically in parallel to said last mentioned switch means, and a brake means associated with said motor and electrically connected therewith in parallel for stopping the rotation of said motor instantly when the circuit thereto is interrupted, said last mentioned means actuated by said selector switch.

HARRY R. FRANKLE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,250,816 Hagstrom July 29, 1941 2,290,275 Childers July 21, 1942 2,371,343 Melchert Mar. 13, 1945 2,464,737 Welleken Mar. 15, 1949 2,474,053 Johnson June 21, 1949 

